Subject: SMML VOL 1446 Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 00:40:54 +1100 shipmodels@tac.com.au -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Another body putty for Canucks 2: Twin 4.5" Destroyer Guns of the RN 3: Re: RN 4.5" Gunhouses 4: Re: RN 4.5" Gunhouses 5: Malta 1940 - 42 6: New Kit! 7: Putty adendum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: Revell 1/400 USS Enterprise 2: Re: 1/400 scale old aurora uss enterprise 3: Kits for sale...err...sail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Darren Subject: Another body putty for Canucks For those of us up north, Canadian Tire has it's own 'Spot Putty' sold in tubes. It's red. The tube is black. It can be found in the Automotive section under repairs and is a good cheap ( sorry, inexpensive) source of putty that works quite well. It has a tendency to form a bit of a liquid topping in the tube, so that when you open it, it spills out and messes your hands quite nicely, but it serves to keep the putty nice and spreadable. And for those who think it's funny to have a store named after our country, Tttthhhppp!!!! ; ) It's a big auto/hardware/home superstore that sells all sorts of useful and useless things, but I'd never get my car repaired there! Regards, Darren Scannell Ontario Canada, where we finally got our first snowfall of the season! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Subject: Twin 4.5" Destroyer Guns of the RN Hi Nat and other interested readers. Not being a deckape, but a member of the purple empire guns are nasty noisy things. However as one of my interests is of the quieter type, I only draw them, I have looked up the technical data for you. I quote Three 4.5 inch twin R.P. 41 Mark 6 mountings are fitted in each of H.M. Ships Daring, Dainty, Defender and Delight and two in each destroyer of the R.A.N. Battle class. Three 4.5 inch twin R.P. 41 Mark 6* mountings are fitted in Diamond, Duchess, Decoy and Diana and in R.A.N. Daring class. Two 4.5 inch twin R.P. 41 Mark 6* Mod. 1 mountings are fitted in Leopard class AA frigates, and one in each of Salisbury class A.D. (Air Direction) and Whitby class A.S. (Anti-Submarine) frigates. Apart from the differences necessitated by the A.C. electrical power supplies, Marks 6 and 6* mountings are identical in layout. In Mark 6* Mod. 1 mountings (fitted in frigates) the layer, trainer and sight-setter have been dispensed with - there being no sights or hand controlled power arrangements fitted. One shell hoist only (the inner) is required. "Standard" amplifiers are installed. In addition, all approved modifications to date are incorporated, together with other minor improvements which are mentioned as appropriate in the text (WHICH I HAVE A COPY OF). It is a totally enclosed semi-automatic rapid fire mounting designed primarily for installation in destroyers. Two Q.F. 4.5 inch Mark 5 guns are mounted in a common cradle. The aiming arrangements are designed for auto operation, but alternative methods of power operation are provided in Marks 6 and 6* mountings for the layer and trainer, and for the captain of turret by joysticks in all Marks. No provision is made for operating the aiming systems by hand, but for maintenance purposes a hand pump is fitted which can be used to provide oil pressure to elevate or train the mounting in slow time. It would thus seem that the external details were the same. BR 2014C(57) refers. I have been very fortunate at being in the right place at the right time as someone loaned me the hardback gunnery manuals for both this mounting and the earlier Twin Marks IV and IV* mountings for the Battle Class destroyers in conjunction with the Mark 6 director and the associated A.F.C.C. Mark 1**, which has a maximum range of 18,000 yards. (10.2272 miles). The Mark IV* mounting was fitted in 1943 Batle class destroyers in conjunction with the Mark 37 director system,which has a maximum surface range of 17,000 yards with an additional 2,200 yards for elevation spotting. The maximum range of the Mark 3 (or III) gun is 21,000 yards. BR 1635(51) refers. Both these well known items of equipment are in my list of things to draw - one day, time permitting. I also have some excellent photographs of both items. The earlier Mark 4 mounting being taken minus its ship, whilst in the gun errecting shop at Vickers. I'll have to get on with these as the colour is fading on my colour prints. (Like me, they are kept in the dark). If I can help out further then give me a call. Yours "Aye" John -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Mike Potter Subject: Re: RN 4.5" Gunhouses >> Are the twin 4.5" gunhouses (not talking about the mounting which is Mk VI) on the following classes all the same?...or are there differences in size and shape from class to class? Daring Class DD Type 61 - Salisbury Class Frigates Type 41 - Leopard Class Frigates Type 12 - Whitbey/Rothesay Class Frigates Type 12M - Leander Class Frigates County Class DD << Nat, in photos all the turrets you mention appear structurally identical. They haven't internal sighting devices, whose arrangements affected the appearance of the USN Mk 42 series. "Type 12M" is a common misnomer. In fact the LEANDER class never had an Admiralty frigate type number. The closest was that the designers on their own initiative referred to the design as "improved Type 12." "Type 11" and "Type 12I" are common misnomers, too. Neither designation was ever used and in the case of "Type 11" the purported design never existed, either! I've drafted an article about the RN's frigate type-numbering system. It's too long for WARSHIP WORLD and WARSHIPS IFR so it's homeless (and unfinished). Maybe USNI's NAVAL HISTORY might accept it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Subject: Re: RN 4.5" Gunhouses Hi Nat, All the references I have of the ships you listed, state that the gun mountings are all 4.5" (114mm) twins in the Mk6 mounting. They would have been all the same as they could be removed as a unit and changed around between ships during refits. All the best Peter Hall WEM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: Malta 1940 - 42 Some of you might have some good research materails @ Home for ships based in Malta during the great seige from 1940 up till when the seige was technically broken when the SS Ohio was "dragged" in So what im basically looking for as Im working on a reference book, more for aircraft as the book im working on is serial numbers of planes based in malta, but i thought the ships are just another part in the defense & the ability of Malta to strike back even during the deepest part of the seige..so basically what im seeking is ships (destroyers, MTB etc), Subs names & fleet numbers, so far i know that HMS Kelly & the 5th flotilla was based in Malta..so so far just need names, maybe later i might need side colour reference for me to trace & put in my little ref book -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: "Chuck Messer" Subject: New Kit! NEW KIT ALERT --- NEW KIT ALERT -- NEW KIT ALERT -- I just got back from Colpar Hobbies here in Denver, Colo. where I got a bit of a surprise. On the new kit rack was a 1:400 scale kit of the Oscar class sub Kursk (K-141). I had no idea anyone was even thinking of coming out with this one. Hugh Letterly, the store's Resident Ship Guy, was also caught by surprise. (No easy feat.) The box art is a color photo of an Oscar class running on the surface. The only brand on the box is a roundel on the upper left hand corner, with the letters "LW" in the center. There is no country of origin, although the english description of the Kursk and her tragic end are obviously a translation, describing her "go to service in Russian Northern Fleet to died in catasrophe in 2000....". There is an e-mail address on the side: lw-model@yahoo.com. As to what's inside the box: I have no decent references on the Oscar class, but the shape of the hull looks right, as does the sail structure. The two props are made of seperate hubs and blades, with the blades looking a little thick. They could be used as patterns to make blades out of thinner sheet styrene. The hull comes in two halves, top and bottom. Parts fit is rather iffy. I tried to dry fit the hull together with rubber bands, and when I'd get the stern lined up, the bow halves would be a little off. A bit of sanding and filling will be needed here. The missile hatches are molded into the hull, so no open hatches without surgery. The plastic is thick and dense, like the styrene Aurora used to use. Detail is sparse, but what's there looks accurate. I fact, there's something very Aurora-like about the kit. The fore and aft diving planes and rudders are well done, not too thick, with the moving control surfaces crisply molded. There is a full array of masts, and they match what's on the large photo on the box. Not a great kit, but for $16.98 retail, it's a good one, and there is a lot you can do as far as detailing. The instructions are crude but clear, no ambiguity as to what fits where. 29 parts, including the 3-piece stand. The hull also has circular flood holes on the bottom. I don't know if that's correct. Painting and decal placement illustrations are pretty good, plan and side views, including a "parade version" with red outlines for the flood vents on top. The line drawings are rather grainy. Now here's the kicker: on the side of the box are illustrations for upcoming kits. The Russian Torpedo Steam Launch Chesma, the destroyer Stereguschy, The Osacar-class sub Krasnodar, and, (Drum Roll) H.M.S. Audacity, the first escort carrier. All execpt the Chesma are in 1:400. Chesma is 1:72. What a surprise. Chuck -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Jim Mc Subject: Putty adendum I have just discovered a product here in the US called "Plastic Wood". Made by DAP, it is an acetone based product, be very careful when applying to plastic, it'll attack if laid on too strong. The nice thing is is sets up in about an hour, and feathers nicely as well. It has been around for a while, but I never thought to try it. Jim Mc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: AAA Hobby Subject: Revell 1/400 USS Enterprise AAA Hobbies will be offering the Revell 1/400 USS Enterprise to SMML members at $85.95 PP ( $76.50 plus 9.45 shipping.) If this is the old Aurora/Monogram kit in a similar box, the kit I have weighs in at about 3.5 lb., and with a box to ship it in the weight goes to just over 4 lb.. The rate for under 5 lb. to the US is $7.70, plus $1.75 for signature confirmation. Overseas orders ship air mail at actual postage. James Corley AAA Hobby Supply email: aaahobby@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: AAA Hobby Subject: Re: 1/400 scale old aurora uss enterprise >> the uss enterprise kit that is going to be released is the 1/400 scale aurora uss enterprise being reissued by revell/monogram. i work for rider's hobbies in detroit michigan and i got that from a reliable source from revell/monogram. the kit was not very good and it lacked detail. you are better off getting the arii/otaki uss enterprise it is very nicely detailed. << And with the retail price of that kit being currently at $198.95, you are much better off buying the 1/350 Tamiya Enterprise. We have one with lots of goodies for $215, or just the ship for $140. James Corley AAA Hobby Supply email: aaahobby@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Laura and Jeff Herne Subject: Kits for sale...err...sail I have a collection of old Pyro sailing ship kits (plastic), very small scale...11 total... first person to cough up $100 US gets them all shipped... Boxes are in above average condition, none are crushed or deformed, there's some tape marks, some staining. All kits are complete to the best of my knowledge. Included are: Mayflower Nina Pinta Santa Maria x 2 HMS Victory Flying Cloud Half Moon Golden Hind Constitution Brig of War Please email me off list. Digital pics available on request. Jeff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at: http://smmlonline.com Check out the APMA site for an index of ship articles in the Reference section at: http://apma.org.au/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume